PARIS – January 6th

Galette des Rois – “Our Lady”

This Galette des Rois pictured above is in honor of Notre Dame and a beautiful creation by pastry chef extraordinaire –

 Nina Métayer

(L”Ambree” by the same chef is pictured left below)

The Galette is a pâte feuilletée, puff pastry, with an almond cream filling (something available all year round), but during this season of the year it transforms into something magical. Each Galette (except individual portions) comes with a fève and a crown!

The French have been serving up Galette des Rois  since the 14th-century. Traditionally, it’s served on January 6th – the 12th day of Christmas – to celebrate the Epiphany, a religious feast day commemorating the arrival of the Three Kings.. Today, it’s eaten throughout the month of January and is simply a festive way to celebrate the New Year with family and friends, regardless of religious background.

 Blog, Cultural Coaching, Paris Insider Tips, Surviving French Culture! / By fayli

The celebrating procedure with the Galette des Rois on January 6th is described as:

1) The youngest person at the gathering sits under the table where the Galette is being cut and served.

2) As each piece is cut the individual under the table calls out the name of the person to receive the each cut slice.

3) The person who finds the fève (trinket) in their slice wins the crown and why a fève & crown accompany each Galette des Rois.

4) The lucky person with the fève is crowned king or queen for the day!

NOTE:

The Galette des Rois should not to be confused with the Couronnes des Rois, which is often sold during the same time of year – the Couronnes des Rois is the closest equivalent to a King Cake usually enjoyed before the Lent.

• French As You Like ItGalette des Rois: A Sweet French Tradition/ Blog, Cultural Coaching, Paris Insider Tips, Surviving French Culture! / By fayli
• Blog, La Cuisine Paris